Monday, November 3, 2014

In an effort to improve community outreach
and strengthen California’s interregional transportation system, Caltrans is
seeking ideas from the public on how to improve transportation between regions
of the state. (More information is available here.)

California’s population is projected to
grow to 50 million people in the next decade and a half, which means we need to
not only preserve existing transportation infrastructure but also invest in new
transit modes that move ever-increasing numbers of people and goods.

The purpose of the forthcoming
“Interregional Transportation Strategic Plan” is to identify the best ways to
invest in interregional transportation corridors to strengthen California’s
economy and livability while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause
climate change.

For highways, the state will apply a
“complete streets” approach where highways are designed to improve all modes of
transportation. For rail, the state will explore improved integration of rail
systems, including the high-speed rail system, to better serve interregional
travelers. Caltrans will also look at the interregional systems of trails and
bikeways, and where those can be improved to support active transportation.

As part of the upcoming public outreach,
Caltrans will host five 2014 public workshops and a webinar to solicit input
and feedback on how to draft a modern transportation plan for interregional
corridors. The closest to Los Angeles is the one in
Fontana: